US9204883B1 - Clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A clamp having a first leg and a second leg where the first and second legs have a first end and a second end. A biasing means is secured to the second ends of the first and second legs. The biasing means holds the first ends of the first and second legs in a spaced apart relationship. A locking means having a rotatable locking flange is positioned on the first end of the first leg. A projection is positioned on the first end of the second leg. The projection is disposed to be in alignment with the locking means when the first end of the second leg is advanced to a position adjacent the first end of the first leg. The rotatable locking flange is rotatable to engage the projection to secure the second leg in a position adjacent the first leg.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/586,319 filed Jan. 13, 2012.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a clamp that is particularly suited for use in the medical field. The clamp has two legs which are moveable into a clamping position to secure the material that is to be clamped. A locking device is provided on the clamp to retain the clamp in the clamping position. The clamp is particularly well suited for clamping an umbilical cord after the birth of baby. A key is provided that allows the clamp to be locked and unlocked in a user friendly fashion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the medical field there are many situations where a clamp is required to apply a clamping force to various tissue. Clamps are frequently used to prevent the leakage of fluids from the tissue and it is important that the clamps be retained in a clamping position on such tissue. One particular use for such clamps is the clamping of an umbilical cord after the birth of a baby. It is important that a clamp that is used on an umbilical cord prevent the leakage of fluids from the umbilical cord once it is cut. Such clamp should also be effective for preventing the introduction of bacterial or viral agents into the baby through cut umbilical cord. Once the umbilical cord is properly healed it is necessary to remove the clamp from the baby. Although there are several clamps that have been used in the medical field and in particular with umbilical cords, where the clamp is positioned for an extended period of time and then removed after the umbilical cord heals. The prior art clamps are frequently difficult to close or latch and these prior art clamps are generally not easily removed from the healed umbilical cord. The use of the prior art clamps is made more difficult because the clamp is frequently used in an environment that is particularly slippery due to the presence of fluids during the typical delivery of a baby. Accordingly, there is a need for a medical clamp that can be used in slippery environments where the clamp can be easily positioned in a clamping orientation and locked in this position. At the present time standard care in most hospitals is that the cord clamps are removed before a baby is discharged to go home. The existing cord clamps are removed by cutting the hinge with a sharp disposable or re-usable cutter. It is also desirable to have a clamp for use in medical applications that can be easily released when it is no longer necessary to provide a clamping force to the tissue of the patient. It is also desirable to be able to remove the clamp without using a sharp cutting instrument.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a clamp having a first leg and a second leg. The first and second legs having a first end and a second end. A biasing means is secured to the second ends of the first and second legs. The biasing means acting to hold the first ends of the first and second legs in a spaced apart relationship.

A locking means is positioned on the first end of the first leg and the locking means has a rotatable locking flange.

A projection is positioned on the first end of the second leg. The projection is disposed to be in alignment with the locking means when the first end of the second leg is advanced to a position adjacent the first end of the first leg. The rotatable locking flange is rotatable to engage the projection to secure the second leg in a position adjacent the first leg.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the clamp of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the clamp with the key inserted.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the clamp in the closed position.

FIG. 4 is a cross section side view of the clamp in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross section view of the locking mechanism for the clamp.

FIGS. 6A, B and C are an exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the clamp in the open position.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the clamp in a partially closed position.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the clamp in the closed or clamped position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The invention relates to a clamp that is designed primarily for use in medical applications. The clamp has a first and second leg that can be brought into immediately adjacent relationship to provide clamping pressure on an object such as an umbilical cord. The clamp can be used to clamp the newborn infant's umbilical cord after a live delivery to prevent blood loss as the umbilical cord dries and shrinks after the birth. It is used following birth of the baby and prior to separation of the placenta on the umbilical cord between the baby and the mother. A small stump of the cord and the clamp is left on the baby. The clamp also has a locking mechanism that releasably secures the first and second legs in clamping position. Although the clamp is particularly well suited for use in the medical field, it should be understood that the clamp can also be used for non-medical applications. The features of the invention will be more readily understood by referring to the attached drawings in connection with the following description.

As shown inFIGS. 1-9, theclamp10 has afirst leg15 having afirst end16 and asecond end17. Thesecond leg19 of the clamp has afirst end20 and asecond end21 that are disposed in opposed relationship as to thefirst leg15. Biasing means25 connects thefirst leg15 to thesecond leg19. The biasing means25 is a generally circular piece of material that functions as a hinge and a spring to bias thesecond leg19 away from thefirst leg15. Thefirst leg15,second leg19 andbiased means25 are usually formed of a plastic material. Thefirst leg15 has afirst surface16 and thesecond leg19 has afirst surface22. The first surface on the first leg and the first leg on the second leg are disposed in an aligned opposed relationship with each other. A raisedclamping ridge27 is positioned on the first surface on the first and second legs. The clamping ridge is preferably positioned in the center of the first surface on the first and second legs. The raisedclamping ridge27 extends essentially from the first end to the second end of the first and second legs. A plurality ofserrations29 are positioned on the first surfaces of the first and second legs along the sides of the raisedclamping ridge27.

Abiasing surface33 is disposed on thesecond end21 of thesecond leg19. The biasingsurface33 positioned on the side of the second leg that is spaced apart from the raised clampingridge27. Aprojection37 extends from thefirst end20 of thesecond leg19. The projections extend from the side of the second leg that is opposite to the biasingsurface33. Theprojection37 extends form thefirst end20 of thesecond leg19 in a direction towards thefirst leg15. Theend39 of theprojection37 that is spaced apart from thesecond leg19 defines anangled slot41. The angled slot defines anopening43.

Thefirst end16 of thefirst leg15 defines achamber47 having a generally circular cross sectional shapedinterior opening57. A retainingflange49 is positioned on the end of thechamber47 that is spaced apart from the end of thefirst leg15. Ashoulder51 is defined on the end of thechamber47 that is adjacent the end of thefirst leg15. A raisedprojection55 is formed in thechamber47 adjacent theshoulder51. The raisedprojection55 extends into theinterior opening57 formed in the center of thechamber47. Akeyway53 is formed in theinterior opening57 of thechamber47.

A locking means65 is rotatably positioned in thechamber47. The locking means65 has a generally cylindrical shape that is designed to be received in theinterior opening57 of thechamber47. A retainingboss67 is formed on the locking means65. The retainingboss67 is designed to engage theshoulder51 on thechamber47. Thefirst end69 of the locking means65 defines anaperture71 and a plurality ofindentations73 positioned on thefirst end69 adjacent theaperture71. Positioned on thesecond end75 is a lockingflange77. The locking flange is disposed at an angle that allows the lockingflange77 to be in alignment with theangled slot41 on theprojection37. The lockingflange77 is disposed on the locking means65 to be positioned in alignment with thekeyway53 in thechamber47. The locking means65 has a lockingshoulder79 and a lockingstop81 that extend outwardly from the retainingboss67 on the locking means65. The lockingshoulder79 and lockingstop81 extend in a direction radially outwardly from the retainingboss67. Alimit stop85 extends from thechamber47 in a direction away from the end of thesecond leg19. Thelimit stop85 is disposed to be positioned between the lockingshoulder79 and the lockingstop81 on the locking means65. Thelimit stop85 limits the degree of rotation for the rotatable locking means65. The end of the locking means65 also has adetent89 that is disposed to engage the lockingshoulder79 on the locking means65. Thedetent89 also functions to retain the lockingshoulder79 in a locking position where the lockingflange77 is disposed in a position where it can engage theangled slot41 on theprojection37.

A key93 having ashaft95 and a plurality ofdrive projections97 is provided to rotate the locking means65. Theshaft95 on the key is disposed to be positioned in theaperture71 of the locking means65. The plurality ofdrive projections97 are disposed to be in alignment with and engage the plurality ofindentations73 when theshaft95 is fully positioned in theaperture71. The relationship of the shaft and the plurality of drive projections with the mating aperture and plurality of indentations on the locking means65 allows the key93 to be utilized to rotate the locking means65. The key has anenlarged handle94 that is provided to give increased leverage for the key to rotate the locking means65.

In operation theclamp10 is normally used in the medical field to provide a clamping force to various areas of a patient's anatomy. In particular, the clamp is particularly well suited for use as a clamp on umbilical cords on newborn babies. The function of the clamp will described in connection with use on an umbilical cord, but it should be understood that the clamp can be used other purposes.

The umbilical cord or other item that is to be clamped is positioned betweenfirst surface18 of thefirst leg15 and thefirst surface22 of thesecond leg19. The biasing means25 will displace thesecond leg19 from thefirst leg15 to allow the umbilical cord to be so positioned in the clamp. The biasingsurface33 on thefirst end20 of thesecond leg19 is then advanced in a direction towards thefirst leg15. When thesecond leg19 is brought into immediately adjacent relationship with thefirst leg15 the raised clampingridges27 on the first and second legs will engage the umbilical cord and provide a clamping force against the umbilical cord. The biasing means25 acts to bias thesecond leg19 away from thefirst leg15 and to retain the clamping force on the umbilical cord it is necessary to secure the second leg in a position adjacent the first leg.

As shown inFIGS. 7-9, the clamp can easily be positioned in the closed or clamped position. Theend39 of theprojection37 is brought into position adjacent the lockingflange77 on the locking means65. Pressure is applied to the biasingsurface33 in a direction towards the lockingflange77. The pressure causes theend39 on theprojection37 to advance along theangled surface78 of the locking flange. As theend39 is advanced it is displaced in a direction away from the locking means65. Once theend39 advances past theangled surface78 of the lockingflange77, the locking flange is in alignment with theangled slot41 on theprojection37. The projection has sufficient resiliency that the projection moves in a direction towards the locking means65 to its original undisplaced orientation and into theslot41. When thelock flange77 is positioned in theangled slot41 the first15 and second19 legs are held in a clamped relationship. The first and second legs will remain in this position until the lockingflange77 is released from theangled slot41. The clamp is placed in the locked position by just applying a force on the biasingsurface33 which makes it easy to position and close theclamp10 in difficult, slippery conditions.

An alternative way can be used to retain thesecond leg19 in the clamping position. In this operation the locking means65 is rotated by the key93 to bring the lockingflange77 into alignment with theangled slot41 on theend39 of theprojection37. As theprojection37 is secured to thesecond leg19 the locking flange when it engages theangled slot41 acts to retain thesecond leg19 in the clamping position. The lockingflange77 moves through theopening43 in theprojection37 to allow the locking flange to engage theangled slot41. Thedetent89 on thechamber47 retains the lockingshoulder79 in position where the lockingflange77 is in engagement with theangled slot41. The locking means65 is rotated by the key93. Theshaft95 of the key is positioned in theaperture71 of the locking means to properly position the key. The plurality ofdrive projections97 on the key93 are brought into alignment with the plurality ofindentations73 on the locking means65. The plurality of projections engages the plurality of indentations to provide an engagement between the key and the locking means. Thehandle94 of the key93 provides leverage that allows the locking means65 to be rotated in a clockwise direction to advance the lockingshoulder79 past thedetent89. The lockingshoulder79 is retained by the detent in a locked position with the lockingflange77 in positioned in theangled slot41 on theprojection37. This location for the components keeps the clamps securely engaged in the clamped position.

If it is desired to release the clamping pressure provided by theclamp10 the key93 can be used to rotate the locking means65 in a counter clockwise direction. With this rotation the locking means65 must be rotated with sufficient force to advance the lockingshoulder79 past thedetent89. The locking means65 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction until the lockingshoulder79 is in position againstlimit stop85 on thechamber47. When the locking means65 is in this location the lockingflange77 is no longer in engagement with theangled slot41 on theprojection37 and thesecond leg19 will be advanced in a direction away from thefirst leg15 by the force provided by the biasing means25. Accordingly, the clamping force of theclamp10 is released and the tissue being clamped is no longer subjected to the clamping force of the first and second legs. The rotation of the locking means65 is constrained by thelimit stop85 that is positioned on thechamber47. Thelimit stop85 is designed so that the lockingshoulder79 is in engagement with the limit stop when theclamp10 is in the unlocked position. When the clamp is in the locked positioned the lockingstop81 on the locking means65 is in engagement with thelimit stop85. Thelimit stop85 allows the locking means65 to be rotated only through the arc where either the lockingshoulder79 or the lockingstop81 come into engagement with thelimit stop85. Thus, the locking means can be rotated between a locked and unlocked position for the first and second legs of theclamp10.

It is also possible to open theclamp10 by cutting the biasing means or hinge25 with a sharp instrument. The ease of opening the clamp should result in using a sharp instrument only in cases where the key93 is not available or in an emergency. It is preferred that the safer methods be used to operate the clamp and that sharp instruments are kept away from the patient. The above detailed description of the present invention is given for explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not a limitative sense, the scope of the invention being defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims (6)

We claim:

1. A clamp comprising:

a first leg and a second leg, the first and second legs having a first end and a second end;

a biasing means secured to the second ends of the first and second legs, the biasing means acting to hold the first ends of the first and second legs in a spaced apart relationship;

a locking means positioned on the first end of the first leg, the locking means having a rotatable locking flange, the rotatable locking flange is positioned on a cylinder that is rotatably mounted on the first end of the first leg, the locking flange having an angled surface on an end of the locking flange that is spaced apart from the cylinder;

a resilient projection positioned on the first end of the second leg, the projection has a slot that is disposed to engage the locking flange of the locking means, the projection extending from the first end of the second leg in a direction towards the locking means, the slot on the projection being disposed to be in alignment with the locking flange of the locking means when the first end of the second leg is advanced to a position adjacent the first end of the first leg; the rotatable locking flange being rotatable to engage and disengage the projection, the angled surface being disposed to engage and displace the projection to allow the slot to align with the locking flange.

2. The clamp ofclaim 1 wherein the biasing means is a spring means attached to the first and second legs.

3. The clamp ofclaim 2 wherein the spring means is a circular spring that joins the first leg to the second leg.

4. The clamp ofclaim 1 wherein the cylinder has a tab that projects in a direction away from the cylinder and the first end of the first leg has a detent that is disposed to engage the tab, the detent acting to retain the locking means in a position in engagement with the projection on the first end of the second leg to retain the locking means in a locked position when the locking means has been rotated to engage the projection.

5. The clamp ofclaim 4 wherein the cylinder has an opening with at least one groove positioned adjacent the opening.

6. The clamp ofclaim 5 wherein a key having a shaft and a raised section adjacent the shaft is positioned in the opening, the raised section being disposed to engage the at least one groove whereby the key can be used to rotate the cylinder to lock and unlock the locking means.

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